I’ve been keeping a little project under wraps for a few months now.
You see, right before Christmas I got a call from our dear friends Craig and Denise.
They led the Young Marrieds Community Group at our church
wayyyy back when we were young marrieds. 😉
Since then there have been 4 or 5 other “young marrieds” groups that have formed so we definitely don’t qualify for that demographic anymore!
But, I digress.
2 weeks before Christmas, Craig and Denise were upstairs in their home when Denise smelled smoke.
They realized that it was coming from their basement and when they opened the door leading down the stairs, smoke immediately poured out. While Denise called 911, Craig crawled down the stairs to make sure that there were no windows or doors open. He is a blueberry farmer and just beyond their home are acres and acres of some of the most lush and beautiful land in the Willamette Valley.
They realized that it was coming from their basement and when they opened the door leading down the stairs, smoke immediately poured out. While Denise called 911, Craig crawled down the stairs to make sure that there were no windows or doors open. He is a blueberry farmer and just beyond their home are acres and acres of some of the most lush and beautiful land in the Willamette Valley.
To lose a house is one thing, to lose all of those crops would be quite another!
But most importantly, no one was hurt!
While the flames did damage downstairs, the smoke took care of the rest.
It was so extensive that they quickly realized that this would be a gut job.
The cause was related to an electrical problem.
The cause was related to an electrical problem.
The walls would need to be taken down to the studs.
And that is where I came in!
Craig and Denise saw the silver lining in all of this mess and realized that they were now presented with the unique opportunity of redesigning their entire home. They hired an awesome builder, Brandon, (who also attends our church and whose wife went to school with my husband!) and they asked me if I would be willing to join the team and be apart of every phase of this rebuild.
I immediately jumped at the chance!
While I have had opportunities to provide “decorating” services for people in the past, this is my first time working on a project of this magnitude and I have absolutely LOVED being involved on this side of it.
I never realized how much I would enjoy sketching floor plans and solving dilemmas like where to place the master bedroom doors. (They went with my idea by the way!) 
And this past week we met out at the job site to see how work is progressing.
As you can see, the only thing remaining from the original interior of the house is the brick fireplace, and even it will be getting a major face lift!
What was once a dark home filled with smaller rooms and a chopped up floor plan will now be an open and spacious one flooded with light!
The fireplace will separate the kitchen from the family room.
In this next photo I am standing in what will be the family room looking towards the kitchen.
Here, Denise and Brandon discuss her new window seat which is something she has always wanted.
And here we are standing in what will be the kitchen discussing the new layout.
We were also discussing the options for refacing the fireplace.
It is all going to be so gorgeous and very soon we will be picking out cabinets and flooring!
This hallway is just off of the kitchen and leads to what will be a very nice sized main floor bathroom and just beyond will be a HUGE mudroom. This is a horse-riding family so we plan on this space giving them plenty of room for taking off their boots. I also made a suggestion for how this room could serve another purpose and I will be sharing that idea along with some inspiration photos in another post!
The basement, which is where the fire began, was once a jumble of small, awkward rooms and hallways. It will now be a beautiful open space with 2 large bedroom suites, an open living area and a small kitchenette.
I am deeply honored that Craig and Denise hired me on to be part of this exciting project.
While I know they wish this had never happened, they are very aware of how blessed they are that no one was hurt in the fire and that they now have the opportunity to create their dream home.
And, I am so excited that I get to take all of YOU along on this journey with us!
So, buckle up friends, I’m going to be calling on you for your opinions and advice along the way and I can’t imagine a greater resource to have than all of you amazingly talented folks!
Thanks so much for joining me today for this first installment of A Picket Fence Project!
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How fun Vanessa! Sad that they lost the inside of their home but a great opportunity to build a new home in their old home. Looking forward to seeing all these great ideas come to life!
It is going to be beautiful, Vanessa! How exciting for you to be involved. I’m sorry they had to go through this whole ordeal though.
WOW, how exiting Vanessa! You are going to do fabulous work, they knew what they were doing!
oh what fun
to be able to see this project through
from the studs on up
i can’t wait to see this project
come to fruition!
alison
So exciting!! Congrats on the special project and enjoy….can’t wait to see the other pix…
Nancy
https://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
What a great outlook they have! It’s a devastating experience but an opportunity to change what they didn’t like before. How exciting for you to be in on the “ground” floor! I’m sure you will do fabulous work! I love blueprints… 😉
What a fun project! The fire story was scary. Glad nobody hurt and the fire did not spread out! Im sure the house is gonna look so lovely with your touch!
xo
Myric@Petites Passions
Oh Vanesssa, they hired the right person…how exciting it must be to plan the interiors for such a great couple…I cannot wait to see the progress…I am sure it will be beautiful….so glad no one was injured in the fire…a true blessing!
This looks like it is going to be a great project. I am looking forward to seeing what you have in store for this house.
Thank God no one was hurt, and further that they did not loose their blueberries.
Good luck, looking forward to seeing more.
Oh, I can’t wait to see the progress.
She’s lucky to have you!
how devastating for your friends to experience the fire but how blessed they are to be rebuilding a beautiful home. can’t wait for the progress updates.
Hi Co-Host! Sorry to hear about the fire. I’m excited to watch the progress 🙂
xo, Ashley from Mister G and Me
Wow Vanessa how exciting! I am so glad no one was hurt in the fire! Your going to be awesome, and I can’t wait to see the progress!
You’re going to be amazing on this project. My heart breaks for them.
What a great project. Looking forward to seeing how it comes along.
Vanessa I’m so proud of you…what a wonderful way to use your special gifts. As bad as the fire and loss were, good is coming from it. Can’t ask for much more than that!
Hi, Thanks for helping host the blog hop. I’m so sorry about your house, hope everything works out. I’m following via Facebook. As my business but I also have a ministry at the url below but it’s Martha J Smith on Facebook. https://simplylivinglovinglearning.blogspot.com
It’s so good that you and your talents were put into their lives to help them at this sad time. I’m excited that you get to use your gifts and they’ll have a beautiful new home. Blessings to all of you. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Vanessa, thank god no one was hurt. They were wise to see the opportunity, and to hire YOU! I can’t wait to see the progress!!
Stacy
I’m sure it took some time to get over but wow, they are on to the exciting part now!! And how fulfilling for you that your get to help make their new home dreams come true!!
Very exciting! It is really fun to do a project from the studs up! When I was designing kitchens most of the kitchens I designed were new custom homes. Can’t wait to see what you do!
So glad to hear no one was hurt. House fires can be so very devastating. They’re blessed to have you and your talent on the team to create their dream home. Can’t wait to follow the progress!
Such a horrible tragedy but what a cool opportunity! I can’t wait to see what you do with the new space!
So sad for the family, but what an amazing opportunity. Looking forward to hearing more of your great ideas!
I know God is giving you His creativity and wisdom. What a great project!
–Stopping by from Thee Networking Blog Hop 🙂
What a wonderful way to help your friends. Can’t wait to go along for the journey.
What a great way to help your friend. I love it. As a word of advice from an owner of a window/door/siding company for many years…make sure that building in the window seat you put it low enough if it is going to be used for seating at a table. Allow not only room for the top piece of finished wood but for a cushion. Even a couple of inches can make a big difference when it comes to comfortable seating. Pull a standard kitchen chair up to the window and the sill should be 2 or 3 inches LOWER than that. I have told this to many, many people…it makes a big difference in actual usage. Maybe you already know that–but if you don’t…well, there it is- xo Diana
Vanessa, What a fun project! I am looking forward to seeing the progress.
Sad that your friends house was so damaged by the fire, but what a great way for you to showcase your talents in helping out with the details. Sounds like it’s going to be a fun project that you have taken on. Look forward to you sharing all along the way.
Hi lovely,
What a great way to help out – I bet you were completely fab! But how awful for your friend to have had to go through that. I always think you sound like a LOVELY friend!! It shines through your posts. Come and move near me!!
Sarahx
Glad nobody was hurt in the fire – but this new house will rise from the ashes and with your input I know it will be stunning!
How exciting for you – can’t wait to follow along for the ride!
Kelly
I am so glad no one ways hurt. What a fun project. Cant wait to see what you will do. Thanks for stopping by.
Vanessa! I am so excited for you! What a fun project and I know this couple has turned a challenging situation into one filled with joy and excitement! I can’t wait to follow along!
blessings,
karianne
This is wonderful! I can’t wait to watch your hard work unfold! You go girl!
I am so glad no one was hurt. I can’t wait to see how it all goes.
Although the fire was devastating, I’m sure your friends are going to just love what you are helping them to create for their rebuilt home. I’m sure that they are happy to have a friend like you with design talent.
What a tragedy turning into a blessing! That new floor plan will be amazing. Quite a daunting project but what fun!
What a wonderful silver lining, Vanessa! I can’t wait to see what’s planned. Ministry and fun all rolled into one project — I love that!
Oh, Vanessa. Fire. So very scary. I am grateful that no one was hurt in this fire. Bless you for helping your friends find the rainbow in these clouds! And how great for you to include all your blogging friends in this journey. You obviously love these friends and you know how they’d like to live, so you’ll do a wonderful job!